Isla Verde VS Condado, PR

[elaineb]

We are cruising on July 4th and have had no luck with Priceline (up to $95), so I've booked a couple of suites at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Isla Verde. Has anyone been to this hotel and how was it? Also, how is Isla Verde compared to Condado? Does it have restaurants and shops so we don't have to eat at the hotel restaurants, or is Condado a better choice for that? What is the beach like on Isla Verde compared to Condado? Would appreciate any comments on this. I'm just booking blindly and hoping for the best! Thanks.

 

Nordic Empress 3/01

Carnival Triumph 4/02

Fascination 8/03

Adventure of the Seas 7/04

[WeirdEyes]

I don't know about your hotel, but IMHO, Isla Verde is a much better area than Condado.

 

<font color="#0000CC" face="Lydian Csv BT" size="4">~~Shelia~~</font></p>

Sailing the Mariner in.......

<font color="#003399" face="Benguiat Bk BT">Carnival Destiny 2002</font>

 

[lmmn]

Don't give up on Priceline. Typically they don't accept the lower bids until much closer to date of stay. I did not see enough of the Isla Verde area to comment, but we loved the Condado area and will book that area on our next cruise. It had some really great little places to eat and drink.

 

Explorer of the Seas ~ 10/02

Majesty of the Seas ~ 1/03

Majesty of the Seas ~ 8/11/03

Navigator of the Seas ~ 10/11/03

Serenade of the Seas ~ 1/31/04

Adventure of the Seas ~ 1/30/05

[the_psycho]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by elaineb:

We are cruising on July 4th and have had no luck with Priceline (up to $95), so I've booked a couple of suites at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Isla Verde. Has anyone been to this hotel and how was it? Also, how is Isla Verde compared to Condado? Does it have restaurants and shops so we don't have to eat at the hotel restaurants, or is Condado a better choice for that? What is the beach like on Isla Verde compared to Condado? Would appreciate any comments on this. I'm just booking blindly and hoping for the best! Thanks.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Elaine,

 

We stayed in this hotel the night before and the night after our cruise, and it was fantastic. The suites are very nice, the hotel is either almost new, or has been renovated in the last few years. The grounds are beautiful, and the pool in the back has a swim up bar. Also, there is a great nightclub/bar/restaurant across the street called lupis. I can't comment as to the condition of the beach there, but everything else was great.

 

Its only a couple of blocks from lots of restaurants, and a walgreens (stock up on those sodas!), and lots of other stuff. We rented a car and drove all over PR (be sure to hit the rainforest, and if you're a science geek like me, the radio telescope at Arecibo), and found the hotel to be centrally located and easy to get to.

 

Hope this helps.

 

<color=#8b0000>until Serenade of the Seas Spring Break 2004!!

 

[elaineb]

Thanks so much, Psycho, for your response! We may just keep this reservation instead of trying for the Caribe Hilton on Priceline. It sound just like what we're looking for. We are only going to be there 1 day, so I think after our flight from Boston, we'll just chill by the pool and/or go to the beach. My son & girlfriend (20) are coming along, so I know they'll love the nightclub. I would too, but can't get DH to dance!

 

Nordic Empress 3/01

Carnival Triumph 4/02

Fascination 8/03

Adventure of the Seas 7/04

[skigirl]

We've stayed twice at the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde, which is near the Hampton and both times have gone to the beach. It's very nice and quite an easy walk. I think you would be fine to stick with the Hampton - don't they also do free breakfast? That can cost a lot at some hotels.

 

Enjoy your stay!

[the_psycho]

Also, I should point out that when you factor in the costs of taxis from the airport to the hotel, hotel to pier, pier to hotel, and hotel to airport, you are cheaper in the long run to stay in Isla Verde.

 

<color=#8b0000>until Serenade of the Seas Spring Break 2004!!

 

[bell]

I travel to PR every month and stay between Isla Verde and Condado. I usually stay at the El San Juan Hotel and Casino. This is across the street from the Hampton Inn. This area is right next to the San Juan airport and the jet noise is very, very, very loud !!! Parts of the Hampton face the runway. You will never sleep.

I have stayed at the Condado Plaza many of time.The Condado is a litle closer to the port and yes, there is a Walgreens down Ashford Ave.

My suggestion as a regular PR traveler; stay at the Condado Plaza. Tony Roma's is fantastic!!

Ask for Ocean side. This avoids the noise of Ashford Ave. Have a safe trip !!

[elaineb]

Okay Psycho and Skigirl - Please weigh in on the noise issue. Is it really that bad? I'm booking for some other family members and I don't want to hear complaints. Hey, it's my vacation!

 

Nordic Empress 3/01

Carnival Triumph 4/02

Fascination 8/03

Adventure of the Seas 7/04

[everyotheryear]

The planes stop and 10p.m. and start back up at around 7a.m. Hope that helps.

 

Festivale 96

Fasination 98

Inspiration 2000

Maasdam 2002

Majesty of the Seas 2003

[the_psycho]

Honestly, I never heard the planes. But to be fair, you have to consider a few things:

 

1. I got to bed both nights around 1:30 in the am (out late partying).

 

2. When I sleep, its is the sleep of the living dead. I wake up for almost nothing.

 

3. I grew up in north Saint Louis County, and my house was on final approach for the runway at Lambert (it was there about 50 years before the airport), so I am used to the noise. I don't hear it.

 

 

I'm a cheap bastard, and the Hampton was a great deal. I guess its all what you're used to. I loved it, though that it was great. We have a Tony Roma's down the street here, and I really don't want to fly 1500 miles to get ribs that were most likely cut less than 150 miles away. When I'm in PR, I want seafood. Fresh seafood.

 

One other thing, the breakfast that they have there is increddible. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, all kinds of cereal and fruit, bagels, toast, pastries, donuts, coffee, tea, lots of juices, pancakes, waffles, all kinds of food. It was all fresh and constantly replenished. That meal was probably worth $10pp, and was a great way to get fueled up for my first day on the ship, as well as for the never-ending series of flights home.

 

<color=#8b0000>until Serenade of the Seas Spring Break 2004!!

 

[Elcruzer]

We stayed at Hampton Inn this past Jan. and agree with Pyscho. The pool was beautiful and breakfast great. The staff there was so friendly and could not do enough for you. There are restaurants of all prices within walking distance and as mentioned casino and beach across the street. We took manager's suggestion to take city bus into Old San Juan. Stop is right across the street and cost 25 cents. Once in Old San Juan, there is a free bus that takes you all around, allowing you to get on & off wherever you wanted.

[skigirl]

The planes never bothered us at the Embassy Suites and it is really close to the airport. As a precious poster said they stop around 10:30 and don't start until 7:30 or so in the am.